Preventive Conservation

Code:

MMUS008

Acronym:

CP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Museology

Instance: 2020/2021 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Heritage Studies
Course/CS Responsible:	Masters in Museology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MMUS	22	MMUS - Study Plan	1	-	6	55	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This course unit aims to:

- Introduce concepts and sustain the principles of Precaution and Sustainability;

- Develop and consolidate students' sensitivity to the need to set priorities for an integrated, proactive and dynamic strategy of risk management and protection, both of the museum building and collections, based on a thorough understanding of their characteristics, contexts and interactions so as to ensure their better and longer quality of life possible;

- Equip students with methodological tools that enable them to carry out research on the topic and support decisions.

Learning outcomes and competences

In the end, students are expected to be able to:

1. State and discuss concepts, critically framing them in (inter)national policies and practices.

2. Identify, interpret and document evidence of damage.

3. Establish and develop intervention strategies, within the framework of an integrated and sustained plan for prevention and protection against damage and loss.

4. Guided by internationally accepted ethical principles, combine professional and interdisciplinary synergies and research/select/manage important resources for the performance of their professional functions, either autonomously or preferably in a work team.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Non applicable.

Program

1. Introduction
1.1. Concepts, historical overview and underlying objectives
1.2. (Inter) national law for the preservation and legal protection of Heritage, with special focus on the museological context. Policies and practices
1.3. Ethical code. Philosophy of action

2. Alteration and damage: the building/spaces and collections
2.1. Inspection and monitoring: strategies, routines and resources
2.2. Evidence
2.2.1. Identification and documentation
2.2.1.1. Scientific means of examination and analysis: introduction to its potentialities and limitations

3. Integrated and sustained intervention plans of a preventive and protective nature: the museum building / spaces and museum collections
3.1. The architecture: ergonomics, materials and relation with the local climatic characteristics
3.2. The environment: concepts and parameters. Technological resources and methodologies
3.2.1. Monitoring
3.2.2. Control
3.3. Energy: management. Alternative energies: potential and sustainability
3.4. Preventive and corrective maintenance: strategies, routines and resources
3.5. Handling, transport, storage and exhibition of collections: criteria and methods
3.6. Security: prevention and emergency

Mandatory literature

ASSOCIATION DES RESTAURATEURS D’ART ET D’ARCHÉOLOGIE DE FORMATION UNIVERSITAIRE; La Conservation Préventive, ARAAFU, 1992. ISBN: 2-907465-02-3
BARCLAY, R., BERGERON, A. & DIGNARD, C.; Mount-making for Museum Objects, Canadian Conservation Institute, 2002. ISBN: 0-660-18843-0
BARIL, P.; Fire Prevention Programs for Museums, Canadian Conservation Institute, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-16968-1
BLADES, N., ORESZCZYN, T., BORDASS, B. & CASSAR, M.; Guidelines on Pollution Control in Museum Buildings, Museum Association, 2000. ISBN: 0-902102-81-8
CAMUFFO, D.; Microclimate for Cultural Heritage, Elsevier, 2001. ISBN: 0-444-82925-3
DORGE, V. & JONES, S.; Building an Emergency Plan: A Guide for Museums & Other Cultural Institutions, The Getty Conservation Institute, 1999. ISBN: 0-89236-551-X
GUILD, S. & MACDONALD, M.; Mould Prevention and Collection Recovery: Guidelines for Heritage Collections, Canadian Conservation Institute, 2004. ISBN: 0-662-35932-1
GUILLEMARD, D. & LAROQUE, C.; Manuel de Conservation Préventive – Gestion et Contrôle des Collections, OCIM/DRAG, 1999. ISBN: 2-11-091404-1
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF MUSEUMS-COMMITTEE FOR CONSERVATION; 11th Triennial Meeting Edinburgh. Preprints, James & James, 1999. ISBN: 1-873936-50-8
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF MUSEUMS-COMMITTEE FOR CONSERVATION; 12th Triennial Meeting Lyon. Preprints, James & James, 1999. ISBN: 1-873936-92-3
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF MUSEUMS-COMMITTEE FOR CONSERVATION; 13th Triennial Meeting Rio de Janeiro. Preprints, James & James, 2002. ISBN: 1-902916-30-1
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF MUSEUMS-COMMITTEE FOR CONSERVATION; 14th Triennial Meeting The Hague. Preprints, James & James, 2005. ISBN: 1-84407-253-3
KEENE, S.; Conservation, Archaeology and Museums, The United Kingdom Institute for Conservation, 1980. ISBN: 0-9504155-1-0
LISTON, D.; Museum Security and Protection: a Handbook for Cultural Heritage Institutions, Routledge, 2000. ISBN: 0-415-07509-2
MICHALSKI, S.; Guidelines for Humidity and Temperature in Canadian Archives, Canadian Conservation Institute, 2000. ISBN: 0-662-29509-9
PEIRCE, J.J., WEINER, R.F. & VESILIND, P.A.; Environmental Pollution and Control, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1998. ISBN: 0750698993
PRICE, N. S., TALLEY, M.K. & VACCARO, A. M.; Historical and Philosophical Issues in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, The Getty Conservation Institute, 1996. ISBN: 0-89236-398-3
PYE, E.; Caring for the Past. Issues in Conservation for Archaeology and Museums, James and James, 2001. ISBN: 1-902916-10-7
ROY, A., SMITH, P.; Preventive Conservation Practice/Theory/Research,, IIC, 1994
STANLEY-PRICE, N., ICCROM; Conservation and Managing of Archaeological Sites, James & James, 2006. ISBN: 1350-5033
STOLOW, N.; Conservation and Exhibitions, Butterworths, 1987. ISBN: 0-408-01434-2
STRANG, T. & DAWSON, J.; Controlling Vertebrate Pests in Museums, Canadian Conservation Institute, 1991. ISBN: 0-662-54951-1
THOMSON, G.; The Museum Environment, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1994. ISBN: 0-7506-2041-2
MUÑOZ VIÑAS, S.; Contemporary Theory of Conservation, Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005. ISBN: 0 7506 6224 7

Comments from the literature

Throughout the semester will be indicated specific references on the different topics of the program.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical-practical, laboratory classes and tutorials supervision sessions. Use of active teaching/learning strategies, such as simulation/laboratory experimentation, study visits and practical application of knowledge in situations of presentation/discussion/training based on imaginary scenarios of real-world problems and case studies. Development of individual and group assignments.

Software

Microsoft Office

keywords

Humanities > Arts > Fine arts > Art works preservation
Social sciences > Political sciences > Public policy > Cultural policy > Museology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	80,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	37,00
Frequência das aulas	55,00
Trabalho de investigação	40,00
Trabalho escrito	15,00
Trabalho laboratorial	15,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students must guarantee a 75% attendance. Attendance will be verified by students' signature in attendance sheets, which may be consulted for absence management. Except for the cases provided for in the general law and regulations of the Faculty.

Calculation formula of final grade

The following evaluation elements are considered and weighted:

- Thematic research and preparation of written work, individual (80%);

- Written work resulting from the practical and laboratory activity, group (20%).

Examinations or Special Assignments

Non applicable.

Internship work/project

Non applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Accordance with Assessment Regulations in force.

Classification improvement

Accordance with Assessment Regulations in force.

Observations

All missing situations will be considered and resolved by the teacher, in compliance with the FLUP regulations.

In view of the pandemic context, changes were made to the dynamics of classes and assessment. Thus, the following evaluation elements are considered and pondered:

- Thematic research and preparation of written work, individually or in group (80%);

- Critical review, individual or in group (20%).